Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-03-19
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENCE.
IN OPEN LETTER.
CUMBERLAND, Mp, March 10, 1887.

CUMBERLAND, Mp, March 10, 1887.
To the Members Of the Republican County
Committee.
GENTLEMEN-You have doubtless become
aware of the increasing demand for a change
the basis of representation in county con-
ventions, nevertheless, | desire to call your
attention to the matter in this public manner
in order that in the future there may be no
misunderstanding in regard to where the
responsibility shall rest in this important
matter. 1t is conceded fact that the con-
ventions of our party have not, for years
been representative bodies As at present
constituted these bodies rarely reflect the real
sentiment of the people. In the county We
have fifteen election districts which cast a
republican vote ranging from 81 to SOB as
by the last Congressional election, yet not
only does each district, without regard to
voting population, have an equal number of
delegates in convention, but, as well, the in
famous unit rule prevails.
How any one can defend this system can
not see for one moment. Ii is opposed to
every principle, not only Of justice, but, as
well of democratic government. District No.
II casts nearly fourteen times as many re-
publican votes as No. :; No. IA eleven times
as many; No. Is over ten times as many, etc.
And yet, in convention, No. has an equal
voice with either of the othcr districts named
If any illustration were necessary to show
how the present system enables county CON
VentiOn to be so organized under the present
system as to miSrepreSent the sentiment of the
county, it would only be necessary to refer to
the last convention, convened for the pur
pose of sending delegates to the Congressional
convention at Hagerstown. This convention
was organized and controlled by the delegates
from districts l,2, 1, 5, 6, :, Band H. making
eight districts which last fall cast total re-
publican vote of ,4G2. The opposition carried
districts 3, 8, 9, 10, II, - and Is, making
seven districts which cast a total republican
vote Of 2,Ol6. In other words, the seven dis
tricts cast 554 more republican votes than the
eight, yet the sentiment they represented
could receive no recognition in the conven-
ton. The eight districts constituting the
majority gave last fall net democratic ma
jor.ty of 49, and the seven districts in the
minority gave net republican majority OF
LOO Can anyone contend that such body
was III any sense a representative one
Numerous cases have occurred within the
memory of all of us, where county nominal
tons have been made i'll the same manner.
Shall We continue system producing re-
suits so manifestly unfair? | think the gen
eral verdict is that it must be changed, and at
once. Who is to make this change and how q?
respectfully suggest that you gentlemen who
constitute the county committee are the
proper persons to act. The time is now. Do
not wait until we have the campaign of 1887
upon us, but determine the matter at a time
when there are no complications arising from
contest for office. Call meeting Of the COM
mittec, adopt a plan of representation and
make provisions for submitting it to the re
publican voters of the county and let them
adopt or reject it in advance of the call for
the next convention.
The plan most generally approved Of is,
believe, to allow each district one delegate for
each fifty republican votes cast at the last
Congressional election counting fractions of
fifty as equivalent thereto when they reach or
exceed twenty-five.
y convention formed III this manner would
be composed as follows taking as a basis the
vote Of 1856: